Aldridge Follows Up With Houston Rockets on Day One of His Free Agency Quest

2015 Free Agent: LaMarcus Aldridge

The Texas native will start his free agency process Tuesday by meeting with the Los Angeles Lakers and then the Houston Rockets. Houston is a long shot to nab the All-Star forward, but having a meeting with him is more than General Manager Daryl Morey could’ve asked for.

Sources: LaMarcus Aldridge will start free agency by meeting with Lakers & Rockets. http://t.co/1Hmso21dgs pic.twitter.com/Ic8FKvDzmR

— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) June 30, 2015

ESPN reports that Aldridge is highly considering the Lakers at this point, along with other favorites in Dallas and San Antonio. All kinds of players have lobbied to Aldridge including the likes of Tim Duncan, Tony Parker, Chandler Parsons and Carmelo Anthony.

Portland is practically in his rear-view mirror and Aldridge seems ready to start a new chapter in his career. He has made the playoffs five times with the Trail Blazers, unfortunately he has only made it out of the first-round once, last year’s victory over Houston. A contending team will be at the top of his list, but touches and money will also be major deciding factors.

Just gonna put this edit out there again.. @aldridge_12 pic.twitter.com/19oZzJrqM1

— Rockets Social (@Rockets_Social) June 29, 2015

The Rockets would need to give up around $10-million to afford the assumed contract of LaMarcus Aldridge, per Calvin Watkins. Aldridge is looking at a max contract of $80.4-million for 4 years which all of the teams fighting for him can make happen, but it won’t be easy for Houston. Corey Brewer and Patrick Beverley wouldn’t even get a second thought and the Rockets would need to move a forward, say Terrence Jones, to bring in “LMA.” Nobody wants to see two starters and a veteran leave, but when you are getting a top-PF in return it eases the pain a little.

LaMarcus Aldridge would command projected $18.8 mil in first year. Rockets need to clear close to $10 mil to make it work.

— Calvin Watkins (@calvinwatkins) June 30, 2015

Aldridge plans to meet with seven teams over the next 3 days, those teams include the Lakers, Rockets, Spurs, Mavericks, Suns, Raptors and he will conclude his first set of meetings with Phil Jackson and the Knicks on Thursday. Lakers are giddy about being able to afford the superstar and this could be a huge piece to the puzzle for them to add alongside Kobe Bryant and 2nd-overall pick D’Angelo Russell. Los Angeles plans to meet with him at 9:01 PM, a minute after they are allowed to begin the meetings.

LaMarcus Aldridge certainly has options. That and more in @ZachLowe_NBA's free-agency preview: http://t.co/6zMjzS1kUy pic.twitter.com/MqohHIqckF

— ESPN (@espn) June 30, 2015

To say he has a “busy” next few days is a major understatement, but when you are the best free agent on the market things can only get easier and less expensive.

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